Stop making this avoidable mistake when baking cookies

Popular cookie flavors
Popular cookie flavors | Susan Stapleton/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

From the plate for Santa to the cookie exchange, homemade cookies are a staple during the holiday season. While grandma always seemed to bake the perfect treat, others could use a few food hacks to make quick work in the kitchen. This one avoidable baking mistake will ensure that no cookie crumbles.

From sugar cookies to thumbprint cookies to another family favorite, there is one baking hack that holds true no matter the recipe. While bakers understand that knowing oven temperatures, or hot spots, is crucial, it is more than just temperatures.

Additionally, even novice cooks appreciate that hot baking sheets can make a mess of that carefully kneaded cookie dough. The heat can make all those ingredients bake unevenly. No one wants an underbaked center with a crispy edge.

While all these baking cookies concepts are important, one key item is the ultimate cooking essential. Do not overcrowd the cookie sheet.

An overcrowded cookie sheet is the ultimate baking mistake. When the cookies do not have their own space to bake, they can become one big cookie glob or become attached to another cookie on the row.

Think about it this way, no one likes to feel smushed at the holiday table, bumping elbows with the person to their side. The cookies want their space on the cookie sheet, too.

With proper space, the oven’s heat can better circulate.  The cookies will bake more evenly.

If your cookies are coming out crumbly or unevenly baked, overcrowding could be the issue. It might take longer to have more batches, but no one wants to have lackluster food on the table.

Baking is a science. Finding the solution to the problem can ensure that the sweet formula comes out perfect every time.

What is your best baking hack or tip? Share your must have holiday food find with #FoodSided.